Driving "Isibutu" For Statfold Model Railway Show...

Evening all. Regular readers will know that I am a big fan of, to me, the pride of Statfold: Bagnall 2820 "Isibutu", of 1945. It is always a pleasure to be booked to "Isibutu" and so when the roster for today came out last week I was overjoyed to see my name against her as her driver. Today was the first day of Statfold's inaugural Model Railway Show and what a fantastic event it was. Statfold, in my opinion, has been screaming out for an event like this for years as it's simply the perfect venue. You've got plenty of covered space, a fabulous museum, all the facilities you could want and the award winning narrow gauge railway too. What could be more appropriate? I arrived at the SBR base at around 06:00 this morning and my word was it a chilly start...

After signing in and reading the notices I found "Isibutu" out on the shed frontage, coupled up to "Howard". The engine had been warmed yesterday and wouldn't take long to start making steam. Needless to say, I was excited...

I was soon joined by fireman Dan and trainee Charles and between the three of us we began preparing the big Bagnall for service. Dan wasted no time in lighting the fire and 2820 is seen here with "Fiji" warming up alongside...

Over the next hour or two the Bagnall was brought into steam and, thanks to Dan and Charles, went out in very clean condition. With ticket sales already strong across the weekend without considering any additional 'on the gate' traffic, we had to be ready in good time to get the train service into full swing. Our first move, coupled to "Howard", was the line inspection and token working. Here, 2820 waits at the balloon loop for Ian to switch on the point lighting. The sky was stunning...

By the time we arrived at Oak Tree to uncouple from "Howard", the initially frosty morning had opened up into sunny blue skies. "Fiji" was waiting in the high level platform to begin her 'Driver for a Fiver' duties...

From Oak Tree I took "Isibutu" light engine back to Statfold where we were brought to a stand at the signalbox whilst the first train departed. With platform 1 now clear, we were given the road to set back onto the next set of coaches which were waiting at the top of the platform. The Bagnall is seen here sporting her Hornby headboard...

I must say that the job was very well executed today. By 10:00 we were stood at Oak Tree with our first return passenger working. Two trips down by 10:00...

The rest of the day went on pretty much like that. With five locomotive consists on the low level railway today we only missed one trip before going back out again. Once you'd been shunt released you were placed on the next incoming set. I think we managed seven trips in total in the end, two of which Dan drove whilst I oversaw Charles doing the firing. We had a great day if truth be told...

In the early afternoon we returned "Isibutu" briefly to the shed to ash her out. Though the marine firebox offers brilliant steaming capability, it also has a very small ashpan in comparison to the size of the locomotive and it needs emptying half way through the day to protect the fire bars. It's a messy job that's for sure...

Pan done, we were straight back into action. I couldn't fault today at all: it was just a lovely experience. It's never a chore to crew "Isibutu". Here, 2820 awaits departure from a busy Strawberry Park at some time during the afternoon...

Awaiting departure from Statfold on an afternoon working...

I think what was really nice about today was the feeling of running a proper train service. Passengers were alighting at the stations to see the model railway displays in the various buildings and it really gave the railway a purpose. Train loadings were certainly strong today too, with most trips being full to standing. Well done to Joey, Tony and everybody else involved in putting this event on. It was great to be a small part of it. If this doesn't become an annual thing then it'll be a crime! After a very busy day, beautiful "Isibutu" beds down on the shed for the night at around 17:00...

Having filled in her paperwork and signed out, there was little more to do but wash up and head for home. Thank you to Alex for rostering me and for giving me such a fine steed and thanks to Dan and Charles for their help and company today. "Isibutu" was her usual lovely self. This was the first time I'd driven her since her recent overhaul and the repaired regulator is certainly far better than before and much more pleasant to use. I wonder when I'll drive her again? Cheers all, Sam...

Achilles Report No79: Back In Business...

Evening all. Today "Achilles" returned to CMES' Ryton Pools track for her test run on the recently installed new piston rings. As we always say, she had two chances! Sheringham-based dawn chorus denier 'Eddie the Late' was joining me today, all the way from coastal Norfolk. Ed was bringing along his handbag engine, otherwise known as his 3.5" gauge Juliet. Between us we agreed to arrive at the CMES base at around 12:30 although, thanks to some bad luck over a set of keys, we didn't get in until Derek turned up to rescue us! Once safely unloaded on the steaming bays, the two engines were prepared side by side. "Achilles" had been heavily polished in recent days following her rebuild, in readiness for another public appearance...

With pressure rising nicely the electric blower was removed and the engine came around gradually under her own steam. Ed meanwhile was having a little battle with his tank engine, which seemed reluctant to raise steam...

With the valves lifting on "Achilles", it was time to head out onto the track. We'd already prepared a two-car rake for her to ensure there was some weight on the back. Cautiously, I opened the regulator. The drains leaked their usual dribbles of condensate before the engine inched steadily forwards. Clearly it was going to work of some description! Once out on the track I took the engine for half a lap empty, walking alongside her to make sure nothing dropped off and that everything looked OK. With all well, I climbed aboard and we set off for the station. "Achilles" certainly had more go in her than last time and the blow at the chimney was vastly reduced...

Returning to the steaming bay, Ed and Reg had narrowed the issue with Juliet down to the valves not being seated on the faces. After some tinkering, they seated and the engine came back to life. Meanwhile, "Achilles" simmered on the running line as Derek passed by in the background on his vertical boiler loco...

With a variety of engines now out on the track in the spring sunshine, we pottered around following each other for the next hour or two. You're forever chasing signals once a few locos join in but it is good fun. "Achilles" did me proud today: no bother at all. The rings seem to have improved things and the engine steamed well with the water pumps performing reliably too. To be honest, for an old gal', I couldn't fault her today. If Ken was looking down, I'm sure he'd be happy with this performance...

After what must have been a dozen or so laps, the engine returned to her steaming bay for blowing down. Nothing fell off so that's a big plus...

Later on, "Achilles" rests peacefully back in the workshop at home after a very pleasant afternoon out. She now needs a good clean after a job well done...

I have no idea at the current time when the engine will go out again but we keep promising a visit to the Sutton Coldfield club with Batesy so we ought to really arrange that. That's all folks. Cheers then, Sam...

10 Minutes at Nuneaton Station...

In years gone by I used to regularly chase main line steam. These days, with so many engines passing work on a regular basis and of course going out myself with Tyseley, I have 'gone spotting' less and less. Tonight however, with something quite unusual occurring at Nuneaton station, I decided it was worth half an hour of my time. Not one but two steam hauled rail tours were due to call at Nuneaton station's platform 5 within around 25 minutes of each other. Tyseley-based 7029 "Clun Castle" was working back from Chester, followed by the Princess Coronation on a West Coast job from Manchester back to Euston. Tracking the progress of both trips via Real Time Trains, I was surprised to see the Duchess in front of "Clun" (originally it should have been "Clun" first). What was even more surprising was that, by Atherstone, the two trains were literally two signals apart! The two engines are of course no strangers to me: particularly 7029: but this one after the other phenomenon was! Soon enough, we were treated to the sight of 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" simmering in platform 5...

Running early on her original path but now actually holding "Clun" up, the Duchess departed Nuneaton with the safety valves blowing furiously. She made quite a sight as she summoned her strength for the sprint south to Rugby...

As the Duchess' tail lamp left platform 5, the headlamp on "Clun" could be spotted to the north! I'd never seen anything like this and, despite being previously well acquainted with the Castle, it was a pleasure to be briefly reunited with her tonight. Here she is, in all her glory, feathering loudly in platform 5. Beautiful...

As soon as her passengers had alighted, "Clun"s double chimney voice echoed around Nuneaton as she pulled the train out of the station bound for Tyseley via an elongated route around the Leicester circle. Farewell old gal, until next time...

A few waves and light hearted chants from some of my old mates aboard the support coach were followed by "Clun"s disappearance into the night. What a lovely few minutes at Nuneaton and quite special in a lot of ways. I don't know how many more times (if any) we'll see two rail tours in a busy main line station one after the other. It was like the "good old days of steam". Well worth the short drive down that was. To support Tyseley and Vintage Trains, travel on one of their several upcoming rail tours. Their website is here. Cheers all and thanks for reading, Sam...

A Warm Morning At Loughborough...

Getting up early is always so much easier when the sun is shining. Today I was out the door around 06:30 and on my way to Loughborough shed for another cleaning turn. Originally I had been rostered for an afternoon third man turn on the engine but todays public passenger services had subsequently been cancelled in order for bridge repairs to be undertaken. Therefore only the pre-booked dining services were being operated, with 78018 in charge. It was a lovely sunny morning on shed, with clear blue skies above. 46521 was basking in the morning sun as I arrived...

Armed with my bags of cleaning gear, I signed in before setting to work on the lovely Great Western 4-6-0 No6990 "Witherslack Hall"...

Throughout the morning I mountaineered across the top of 6990, doing the top brasses and then fully wiping her down with white spirit before applying polish. There was a pleasant roar on the breeze at one point as old friend No7029 "Clun Castle" tore through Loughborough main line station with a Chester-bound rail tour. "Clun"s voice echoed all around as she accelerated towards Leicester. I spent a good few hours today with 6990, buffing her up under the warm sun. The results of my efforts were very pleasing as her brasses and boiler barrel shone...

In the afternoon I headed for home after a pleasant morning on and around 6990. Great Western engines deserve to be kept as clean as possible (as Tyseley always taught us) and this lovely Modified Hall is no exception. It's never a chore to spend time with her and she always looks the better for our efforts. Cheers all, Sam...

Please note any views or opinions expressed in this blog are merely personal and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person, group or organisation.

Achilles Report No78: Replacement Rings...

Since the successful hydraulic and steam test we did on "Achilles" a few weeks back, I've been spending the odd hour here and there messing about with her. I've been convinced for a long while that the piston rings needed looking at, mainly due to the engine feeling a little weaker than it used to. In a haze of inexperience and laziness, I didn't change the rings when we re-bushed the engine several years ago, neither did I do it when we repainted it a few years after. The pistons have largely remained untouched throughout my ownership of the engine, with efforts concentrated on other repairs and replacements. However, the time had now come and some new rings could do her no harm. Therefore, after half an hour with the spanners and the screwdrivers, the pistons were out. Needless to say, they didn't owe anyone anything...

The O-Rings had quite a pronounced flat on them, so much so that they were actually slightly smaller than the piston heads themselves. (The resistance when in the cylinder was minimal at best). Having measured up the bores and the ring grooves, some new O-Rings were ordered from Kennions and arrived a few days later. Ken always maintained that he completed the loco in 1986 and, to my best knowledge, these rings must have been in since then. A change every 36 years is fairly cost effective...

I read up a lot about piston rings of various types and found a lot of debate about giving the ring room to roll. The piston grooves on "Achilles" were enough to allow some side roll and, with so many years behind her on the same rings, it was easier to change the cheap O-Rings more often (if necessary) than go through the hassle of machining out the grooves. Here we see an old ring against a new one...

Bores cleaned and re-oiled, the freshly oiled new piston rings were trial fitted...

The fit of the new piston rings was, as you can guess, far superior to the old ones and I do feel that the engine will have far less issues with back pressure now that the rings have been replaced. With the pistons refitted with their new rings on, the next job was to reconnect them to their crossheads. I then had to spend time removing the old spent gasket gel from each cylinder front face before making new paper gaskets. Both cylinder covers were thoroughly cleaned prior to refitting...

"Achilles" is seen here with the RH cylinder rebuilt...

And a few days later with the LH cylinder rebuilt and cover shining...

A snap shot of both refitted cylinder covers looking nice under the front end...

It was then a case of refitting the other cosmetic bits like the running boards and of course the all important mechanical lubricator. Even just pushing the engine along the bench now creates a pronounced beat at the chimney so I'm hoping that the new rings will be a success. Only a test run will tell of course...

Myself and Norfolks own dawn chorus denier 'Eddie the Late' are hoping to attend the CMES track with our two engines on April 2nd, weather permitting of course. Lets see how we go! Everything is crossed. Cheers all, Sam...

Statfold: Galavanting with "Gwynedd"...

"Driving Gwynedd" (M.Waldron)

Today saw the first public open day of 2022 take place at the Statfold Barn Railway in Tamworth. Dubbed "The Last Days of Penrhyn Steam", the event featured a grand total of fourteen locomotives in steam, of which six were of Penrhyn origin. When the roster came out during the week I was surprised to find my name penned to one of the visiting engines: 1883-built Penrhyn Port Class "Gwynedd", from Bressingham Gardens. Rostered to join the Bressingham crew as a sort of Pilotman, I spent today riding around on the Port class in the sunshine. The day began with the usual 06:30 sign on at Statfold shed. "Gwynedd" was soon discovered out on the shed apron as the sun came up, coupled to resident Andrew Barclay "Cegin"...

The majority of my role today would involve doing the firing and therefore I gave the engine a thorough check over to ensure she was safe to light up before doing just that. A flaming pile of rags was duly thrown into the firebox, followed by the wood...

With the smaller engines we always get a good wood fire going first to get the heat there before adding coal. (The coal we use at Statfold can cause issues with blocked tubes if added too soon). Once the fire was lit and crackling nicely I had little more to do but start working on the brasses on the footplate...

The trio of Bressingham lads soon arrived and we got to chatting about all things steam. They were a lovely bunch and it was a pleasure to spend the day with them aboard their engine. Another variation of the Quarry Hunslet lets say, the Penrhyn Port class was made up of only three engines: "Gwynedd", "Lillian" and "Winifred". All three survive in preservation. They feel much bigger than something like an Alice class but have a lot of similar features. The main notable difference is the stepped down footplate. For the rest of this post I think I'll just caption the pictures to save the same old Statfold story. We went out, we came back and we went out a few more times. It was a lovely day spent in good company in the welcome March sunshine. Here, "Gwynedd" sits within the trio of engines making up the first train of the day...

Once the Penrhyn trio reached Cogan Halt, "Cegin" was uncoupled and duly left us to return the token to Statfold. Full operation could then begin...

Here, "Gwynedd" leads smaller cousin "Sybil Mary" off the turntable...

"Hunslet Cousins" (M.Waldron)

The weather was fabulous as we awaited our second departure from Statfold...

"Gwynedd" is seen here simmering at the balloon loop on our second run...

After the third trip we were uncoupled from "Sybil Mary" in order to await another running partner. "Gwynedd" needed to run with another engine due to variations with the air brakes used for passenger working at Statfold...

"Gwynedd" CME Rob kindly allowed me to drive the third trip, which was very nice of him. Here, "Gwynedd" sits in the goods siding at Statfold. It's been a few years since I drove anything into here but this move was needed for shunting purposes...

A portrait of "Gwynedd" as she awaits fellow visitor "Ogwen" in the headshunt...

I really enjoyed my trip driving "Gwynedd". She has all the usual practicalities and quirks of any other Quarry Hunslet but feels much more stable and chunkier. What was also notable was how genuinely nice this engine was to be on. She sounded great at the chimney, didn't knock, didn't bang, didn't leak steam. She was just lovely and a real credit to the friendly team who look after her. She's clearly their pride and joy. Later in the day, we leave shed (with "Ogwen" behind) for our fifth and final trip...

"One Last Trip" (M.Waldron)

Here, visitors "Gwynedd" and "Ogwen" rest at the balloon loop with the freight...

After our last trip we were taken back through the shed as the other engines slowly gathered ready for disposal. Here, "Gwynedd" settles down quietly on the shed as the March light begins to fade. Note the stepped footplate...

Well, that's another engine ticked off the list. I never thought I'd drive "Gwynedd". I must thank Alex for rostering me and the Bressingham boys for their company today. What a lovely day we had. Cheers all, Sam...

The Lady In Red...

This afternoon we were treated to the sight of the lady in red: No6233 "Duchess of Sutherland": passing by work on a positioning move. The Tyseley boys were in charge, with Deano spotted in the fireman's seat as the Duchess coasted by. The 4-6-2 was working her support coach from Tyseley to Southall in readiness to take part in some jobs for West Coast in the coming weeks. It's always nice to see the Duchess.

Please note that the above image was taken from land outside of the NR boundary fence.